Turkey overcame Czech Republic 2-0 in Euro 2016 action on Tuesday as both sides desperately sought a win to boost their qualification hopes.

The game got off to an enterprising start as both teams had periods of possession. Then, in the 10th minute, Turkey scored their first goal of the tournament as Burak Yılmaz netted following a break down the right wing.

There were alarm bells for the Turks as a Vladimír Darida effort bobbled out for a corner, before Tonas Sivok crashed a header against the post with 17 minutes gone.

Selcuk Inan struck the wall with a free kick for Turkey after 23 minutes, before Tomas Necid came close for the Czechs. The side came within inches of scoring yet again eight minutes later, but Pavel Kaderabek was just unable to direct his close-range effort on target.

It was all Czech Republic as Jaroslav Plasil hit a great effort from range that forced a save from Volkan Babacan after 37 minutes, before a succession of corners ultimately came to nothing. The score remained 1-0 at the interval.

The second-half began with an injury to Gokhan Gonul that forced the Turk to receive treatment. Then, with 58 minutes gone Emre Mor had a run at the Czech defence, only to hit his resulting shot over the bar.

Just a minute later Darida forced another save from Babacan before the goalkeeper was called into action again after 61 minutes to deny Necid.

Turkey scored a surprise second against the run of play as Ozan Tufan fired home following a layoff from Mehmet Topal after 65 minutes. The Turks were buoyed by the second goal and proceeded to take complete control of the game.

Darida had yet another effort from range after 81 minutes, but yet again Babacan was up to the challenge. Olcay Sahan the came close for the Turks as he rushed an effort off balance after receiving the ball in the box.

Cenk Tosun dragged a late chance wide for the Turks and his effort proved the last meaningful moment of the tie, as at full-time the score read 2-0.

Photo: Reuters